Astros notes: Bourgeois called up to play in hometown

Published 5:30 am, Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Not-so-hot corner

Rookie Chris Johnson will get the bulk of playing time at third base, meaning veteran Pedro Feliz has been relegated to backup duties.

Johnson, 25, was recalled Sunday and started in Tuesday's series opener against the San Francisco Giants, supplanting Feliz in the lineup.

Feliz, who was signed to a one-year, $4.5 million contract in the offseason, has failed to meet the expectations of the club, which aside from being a defensive upgrade envisioned him as a run producer with pop at the plate.

"He understood (the decision)," manager Brad Mills said of Feliz, 35. "He was disappointed, as we knew he would be, but at the same time he understands the situation."

Feliz, a career .254 hitter entering the season, is hitting .220 with two home runs, 22 RBIs and a .245 on-base percentage in 63 games. He also leads the team with nine errors.

"It's not over for me yet," Feliz said. "This is the first time I'm in this situation in my career, but I won't get tired of saying that it is not over."

Welcome home

Jason Bourgeois has had plenty of homecomings, but none like this one.

For the first time in his pro career, Bourgeois, a 10-year veteran of the minor leagues, is a major leaguer in his hometown.

"Any time you get to play in the big leagues it's a great opportunity," said Bourgeois, a Forest Brook product who also played Little League with Astros teammate Michael Bourn. "But when you have a chance to do it in front of people you grew up with, family, friends, everybody right here, it's a great opportunity."

For Bourgeois, who was called up Sunday from Class AAA Round Rock, it marks the beginning of his third major league stint. He was a September call-up for the White Sox in 2008 and made 24 appearances for the Brewers in late 2009.

Bourgeois, 28, grew up around the Astros. His father, John, worked at the Astrodome ticket office in the late 1980s and early '90s.

An even better gift

Jason Bourgeois wanted to treat his dad with a good performance at Class AAA Round Rock on Father's Day. But as things turned out, he ended up with an even better surprise for him.

"He came up to visit me on Father's Day in Round Rock to watch the game, and he didn't get to come to the game because I called him and told him (about the call-up)," Bourgeois said. "I just said, 'Hey, happy Father's Day. This is the best gift I can give you right now.'?"

Bourgeois was batting .345 with 18 stolen bases and a .405 on-base percentage in 65 games with the Express. He takes over the backup outfield spot vacated by Cory Sullivan, who was designated for assignment along with pitcher Casey Daigle and catcher Kevin Cash.

Sampson returns

Righthander Chris Sampson was activated from the 15-day disabled list before the series opener against San Francisco.

Sampson, who went on the disabled list June 1 because of rotator cuff tendinitis, allowed no runs in three one-inning rehab appearances for Class AAA Round Rock, the last one coming Sunday.

The Astros optioned lefthander Wesley Wright back to the Express to make room for the veteran reliever.

Lyles gets All-Star nod

Righthander Jordan Lyles of Class AA Corpus Christi will represent the Astros at the All-Star Futures Game on July 11 at Anaheim, Calif.

Lyles, a supplemental first-round pick in the 2008 draft, is 6-4 with a 2.37 ERA in 14 games (13 starts) for the Hooks. He will play for the U.S. Team in the exhibition against the World Team at Angel Stadium.

Righthander Bud Norris pitched six shutout innings in his third rehab start with Class AAA Round Rock. Norris (shoulder) allowed seven hits with one walk and six strikeouts in a 2-1 win over Albuquerque.